“The Church needs a good relationship among clergy, religious, and faithful. Everyone should work together for the goodness of the Church and peace,” exhorted Lumon, who is retiring after taking care of over 100,000 Catholics in the state for 17 years.
Beginning in May, Manipur witnessed a protracted violent clash between the majority Meiteis, most of whom are Hindus, and the minority Kukis, who are Christian, that left nearly 200 dead. More than 50,000 Kuki refugees along with over 10,000 Meiteis were driven out from Kuki strongholds in the simmering violence.
Manipur, located east of Bangladesh and at the border with Myanmar, is home to 3.3 million people. For decades, members of the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga tribes have fought over land and religious differences.
Urging the Catholic community “to work and pray for peace,” Girelli in his concluding message at the end of the service expressed “concern over the unprecedented violence with dozens killed, houses destroyed, and people banished.”
Calling for efforts “to redeem peace in society,” the nuncio reminded the faithful that “peace comes with justice. Unitedly let us work together and pray for peace.”
Since the church could accommodate only over 1,000 people, the enthusiastic laypeople in their diverse, colorful tribal attire watched the two-hour-long installation service on a large screen on the adjacent grounds of St. Xavier’s College.